Aging PCs for Kampung folks need upgrades!

K-Community Centre is a project by K-ICT Council of the State Government of Penang to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, and one of these "Pusat K-Komuniti (PKK)" is located on the second floor of the JKKK Kongsi Building, next to Sekolah Kebangsaan Kongsi and Dewan Balora Mastika (supervised by Office of Barat Daya District) in Balik Pulau, Penang.

The plaque outside the facility described the centre as having been officiated by then Deputy Chief Minister of Penang, YB Dato' Dr Hilmi bin Haji Yahaya on 11th of March 2004, ie. some five years ago - Dr Hilmi is currently a State Legislative Member (ADUN) for Pulau Betong of Balik Pulau, having previously also served as a Senate Member and a Parliamentary Secretary for the federal government (representing parliamentary area of Balik Pulau) prior to Election 2008.

This classroom-like centre is currently equipped with broadband Internet connectivity and twelve desktop computers for public use. The centre is managed by a manager, Kak Leha, herself having a small workspace at the back of the room, with a PC system and telephone & fax machine for shared external communications.

Over the years, the centre has catered to thousands of locals, especially school pupils and senior citizens with computer and Internet connectivity use. But five years later, the broadband connectivity has barely been improved, and the aging computers clearly need replacements in order to serve the community properly. As time is gold/money, any loss of time due to slow computing speed can be devastating to this rural community, reducing the impacts off the digital divide bridging effort!

Author implores relevant authorities, ie. member of parliament of Balik Pulau, Tuan Yusmadi Yusof, Penang State Excos, and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to deliver attention to this aging K-ICT community centre, and especially bring the much hyped Penang Wireless to Balik Pulau, eg. the RM17-million MPPP Public Market Complex at their earliest convenience. Thank you!





Related readings:-

1. MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KELIMA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG SEPULUH. TAHUN 2003 - Soalan Lisan No. 10-1 (19 Mei 2003): Cyber Penang
2. MESYUARAT PERTAMA PENGGAL KEDUA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG KESEBELAS. TAHUN 2005 - Soalan Bertulis No. 6w-17 (04 November 2005): Bangunan Usang
3. MESYUARAT KEDUA PENGGAL KETIGA DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI PULAU PINANG YANG KESEPULUH. TAHUN 2001 - Soalan Bertulis No. 11: ICT
   
4. Senarai Pusat-Pusat e-Komuniti oleh Siti Huraizah (Setiausaha Kehormat GPeK)